To become a behavioral optometrist, one must first complete optometry studies and then gain additional education in behavioral optometry, including eye therapy techniques. Clinical residency or academic programs can provide advanced training. Behavioral optometry involves visual therapy exercises to correct vision problems and improve hand-eye coordination. It is often considered an alternative or complementary therapy and can help with issues such as color perception and peripheral vision. There is a demand for professionals in the field, despite controversy over the effectiveness of visual therapy in certain learning disorders.
Someone who wants to become a behavioral optometrist usually follows a traditional path of studying optometry, completing their undergraduate studies and then enrolling in an accredited optometry school. These studies are often followed or supplemented with an education in behavioral optometry, also called functional optometry or visual therapy. There are certain additional skills required to become a behavioral optometrist, including training in eye therapy techniques. Depending on your location, the most common ways to gain advanced training are to complete a clinical residency or attend one of the few academic programs that specialize in behavioral optometry. Regardless of their particular specialties, doctors of optometry in most jurisdictions – including the US – need to be licensed before practicing.
Behavioral optometry is often considered an alternative or complementary therapy because it involves issues that are not typically addressed with conventional treatments. In addition to prescribing glasses or contact lenses, a behavioral optometrist performs visual therapy exercises designed to strengthen the eyes or correct vision problems. Some examples of common difficulties this doctor can treat include problems with color perception, peripheral vision, and the detrimental effects of poor vision on fine and gross motor skills.
To become a behavioral optometrist, you must first complete higher education, followed by earning a degree from an accredited optometry school. Some schools accept applicants after three years of undergraduate training, which allows them to complete a bachelor’s degree while also enrolled in the optometry program; other students choose to earn a bachelor’s degree and then apply to a graduate program. Regardless of your course of study, you should generally have taken a wide range of courses to prepare you for a career in optometry. A standard curriculum usually includes courses in the sciences, both in the classroom and in the laboratory, as well as training in recognizing eye diseases and performing eye surgery.
In addition to the basic optometry program, additional training is typically required to become a behavioral optometrist. You can gain hands-on experience by completing a clinical residency in a specialist area such as pediatrics or vision rehabilitation. An example of a useful course for someone wanting to become a behavioral optometrist might be holistic methods of treating the whole patient rather than just focusing on the structure of the eye.
Behavioral optometry often addresses hand-eye coordination issues and helps patients recover from a stroke or other brain or eye injuries. Many behavioral optometrists also see a causal link between vision problems and learning disabilities. To date, however, there is not much conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of visual therapy in certain learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Despite the controversy, there is still a demand for professionals in the field and there are many opportunities for someone who wants to become a behavioral optometrist.
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